when will i learn?

not everyone treats everything as a joke. apparently, nothing is sacred to me, as insult follows taunt follows insensitive comment. i am sure that i expect too much when i automatically assume that people know when i am joking and when i am serious. after all, don't i spend 98% (give or take a percentage point) of the time ribbing friends and strangers alike? i feel misunderstood when good intentions go awry. when things spoken in jest further depresses and humiliates those around me instead of lightening the mood. and yet, i wonder if i'm just avoiding the possibility that maybe i really am to blame.

it's time to reassess how i do things. i'm tired of hurting those close to me with my insensitivity.

it's time to stop passing the buck and to hold myself accountable for my actions and words.